Barbara Lynn

Waltz Around Our 100 Best Texas Songs

The 100 Best Texas Songs: The Complete List

100. Tripping Daisy, "Sonic Bloom" Before this album, the band had a grunge-pop affectation, but this song, from 1998's Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb, was more heartfelt than anything they'd done before. - Daniel Hopkins 99. Pleasant Grove, "The Plaque at 16ft" Bret Egner wrote "The Plaque at 16ft, ... More >>

Best Texas Songs of All Time: #19-1

Songs #100-80 Songs #79-60 Songs #59-40 Songs #39-20 The Spotify playlist for songs #19-1 19. Billy Preston, "Nothing From Nothing" Houston pianist Billy Preston got to hang around some decent talent (The Beatles, The Stones), but his solo material went in another direction altogether. This is ... More >>

For 26 Episodes in 1966, WFAA Played Host to the Funkiest, Most Soulful TV Show in America

​Last night, I got a text from Peter Schmidt, who could not believe I've never written about a short-lived 1966 TV show called The !!!! Beat, hosted by iconic Nashville deejay Bill "Hoss" Allen. Wrote Peter, who'd come across it yesterday after a lunchtime discussion about Etta James turned up an ... More >>

Judge Will Allow Lawsuit Over Super Bowl XLV Ticket Snafu to Continue, But Jerry's Free to Go

​A little more than nine months after those aggrieved ticketholders left out in the Arlington cold during Super Bowl XLV brought their lawsuits, U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn -- she of tough sentences and no nonsense -- has refused to dismiss the breach-of-contract case. But: Lynn did remove th ... More >>

Michael Browne Gets More Than 22 Years For Gate-Crashing Love Field Runway Last Year

​Remember back in August of last year, when 48-year-old carjacker Michael Browne led police on a slow ride through Dallas before landing on the Love Field Airport runway? Sure you do. Passed right by Unfair Park HQ, matter of fact. Then, in November of last year, a federal grand jury indicted Brow ... More >>

So Close to Getting Away With Armored Truck Robbery, This Is What Finally Did Them In

​The U.S. Attorney's Office sends word that a man named Ennis Harris Jackson will be going to federal prison for more than 17 years for his role in holding up a Loomis armored truck in May 2010 outside a Mesquite Bank of America branch. Jackson was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Barbar ... More >>

And Now, On This Good Friday, We Come to the Very, Very End of the City Hall Corruption Case

All those who'd like to see us retire this picture, raise your right hand.​I was cleaning out the office last weekend and came across my copy of the 166-page indictment that eventually led a parade of people to the Earle Cabell thanks to that low-income housing development corruption case at Dalla ... More >>

Boy, That Was Quick: Brian Potashnik to Spend March Outside Federal Prison on Work Release

Photo by Sam Merten​Merely two months after Brian Potashnik was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn to 14 months in federal prison for his role in the Dallas City Hall corruption case, he's been approved for a month-long release from behind bars. In a notification sent to victims of ... More >>

Well, At Least the City of Dallas Is Getting a $1.25 Million Check Out of Brian Potashnik

Sam MertenBrian Potashnik​As you'll no doubt recall, Brian and Cheryl Potashnik were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn the week before Christmas. The couple, of course, was among the first to take guilty pleas in the Dallas City Hall federal corruption case that eventually landed forme ... More >>

Back in Federal Court, Awaiting Sentencing for the Brian and Cheryl Potashnik (A Live Blog)

Sam MertenBrian Potashnik back in July 2009​[Update: Cheryl Potashnik was given two years probation and has to pay $50,000 to the U.S. Attorney's Office within seven days.] It's sentencing day for Brian and Cheryl Potashnik this morning at the Earle Cabell Federal Building, as U.S. District J ... More >>

The Wiretap That Tainted Our View Of Ron Slovacek Long Before His Conviction

Sam MertenWhy does Lee look so good in that suit? Gotta be the aerobics in the morning and yoga at night.​On July 23 -- the second day of Brian Potashnik's testimony in the Dallas City Hall corruption trial -- prosecutor Marcus Busch played a series of damning wiretaps for jurors. He paused th ... More >>

For Trying to Blow Up Fountain Place, Hosam Smadi's Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison

​It was late on September 24, 2009, that the U.S. Attorney's Office sent word that FBI agents had arrested then-19-year-old Hosam Maher Husein Smadi for plotting to blow up Fountain Place on Ross Avenue -- a plot intercepted by federal agents, who ultimately provided the Jordanian-born Smadi with ... More >>

Judge Still Handing Out Sentences in City Hall Corruption Case, This One to Jibreel Rashad

Hey, Don Hill, how many trials are left in the federal City Hall corruption case?​We've got July 12 circled in red on our calendars: That's when Ron Slovacek goes to trial in U.S. District Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn's courtroom -- making him the way last defendant to be tried in the Dallas City Hall ... More >>

In-N-Out With Some High-N-Tight End-of-the-Day Follow-Ups to Which We Plead Guilty

​Where to begin? Let's go with Your Texas Rangers, who were back in bankruptcy court in Fort Worth for the second day of "first day" proceedings following Monday's voluntary Chapter 11 filing. Reports the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge D. Michael Lynn finally decided after a bidding war bet ... More >>

Two Months After Taking Guilty Plea, Terri Hodge Sentenced to Year in Prison

Sam MertenTerri Hodge​The staff was all tied up today and couldn't make it to the Earle Cabell for Terri Hodge's sentencing. But the guilty-plea-taking ex-state represenative got a year in federal prison, because U.S. District Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn didn't really buy her story that, look, it was ... More >>

SMU's Jillson Says Local Democratic Elected Officials "Are Not to Be Trusted," Questions Friends Chosen By Jenkins

Danny FulgencioCal Jillson​Much like Richard Allen's interview, our conversation with Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson didn't make it into the cover story on Dallas County Judge Jim Foster appearing in last week's paper version of Unfair Park. But that's not to say ... More >>

Don Hill, After a Lengthy Trial, a Guilty Verdict and an 18-Year Sentence, Still Doesn't Get It. Wonder Why?

Judge Hands Down Two More Lengthy Sentences in City Hall Corruption Case

Sam MertenBetween the four of them -- from left to right: D'Angelo Lee, Sheila Hill, Darren Reagan and Don Hill -- you're looking at 55 years of federal prison time.​And speaking of the U.S. Attorney's Office ...Jim and Sam were otherwise occupied this morning and couldn't make it back to the Earl ... More >>

Buzz Gives '09 a One-Fingered Wave Goodbye

Judge Agrees Two Charges in Corruption Case Warrant Further Consideration, Dismisses Motions for New Trials

Sam MertenDon and Sheila Hill cross Commerce Street this afternoon after Judge Lynn said she'd consider arguments against honest services and money laundering charges.​Four of the five defendants convicted last month of bribery and extortion in the City Hall corruption trial gained traction in ... More >>

Judge Says Unh-Unh to New Hill Trial

For all those Friends of Unfair Park who were convinced juror Nedra Frazier's interview with Sam would get Don Hill and the others convicted in the Dallas City Hall federal corruption case a new trial, per a motion filed by Sheila Hill's attorney, guess again. U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn has ru ... More >>

Federal Judge Barbara Lynn And The Observer Go Toe-To-Toe Over A Vague Legal Principle Known As The First Amendment

U.S. District Judge Denies Two of Sheila Hill's Dismissal Motions. But She'll Now Interview the Juror Who Spoke to the Dallas Observer.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn​Last week, as you no doubt recall, Sheila Hill's attorney, Victor Vital, requested a new trial or evidentiary hearing based upon possible jury misconduct preceding all those guilty verdicts in the Dallas City Hall federal corruption trial. Now we know how U.S. Dist ... More >>

Interview With City Hall Corruption Trial Juror Triggers Motion for New Trial Based on Jury Misconduct from Sheila Hill's Attorney

FBIDon Hill's testimony about the fax machine found at his residence in June 2005 tickled juror Nedra Frazier so much that she may have let it slip that she either was talking about the case before deliberations or listening to others talk about it.When we spoke with juror Nedra Frazier hours after ... More >>

State Rep. Terri Hodge Has a Few Months Before Her Trial's Scheduled to Start

State Rep. Terri Hodge​Mark your calendars: March 8. That, says Jack Fink, is when state Rep. Terri Hodge will finally stand trial, per Judge Barbara Lynn's decision. Say what? You forgot Hodge was indicted along with Don Hill, D'Angelo Lee and the rest of the found-guilty gang? Then you should go ... More >>

More Delicious Corruption Trial Leftovers: Juror Says "There Was a Lot of Disagreeing," Fax Machine Was "the Talk of the Day"

Sam MertenAccording to juror Nedra Frazier, the arguments against conspiracy surrounded Rickey Robertson, seen here leaving the courthouse with his wife and baby daughter after the jury found him guilty on two counts.A few hours after she and 11 other jurors found Don Hill and his four co-defendants ... More >>

As Hills Look Forward to Appeal, Don Says Brian Potashnik "Did What He Had To Do"

Sam MertenAt approximately 10:40 this morning, a packed courtroom on the 15th floor of the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse filled with friends and family of the co-defendants, members of the media and lawyers sits abuzz with anticipation. This is it. Finally. U.S. District Judge Barbar ... More >>

U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn Locks Courtroom and Denies Access to Surrounding Area Until Verdict in City Hall Corruption Case

U.S. District Judge Barbara LynnMuch like Wednesday afternoon, I got another itch to sit in during the day's last couple hours of jury deliberations in the City Hall corruption case, but I was quickly disappointed upon seeing Don and Sheila Hill in the lobby of the Earle Cabell Federal Building and ... More >>

Let's Make a Deal! Don Hill's Back on the Stand, and Schutze is Back at the Courthouse.

Sam MertenDon Hill had quite the, um, rough day yesterday. And now he's got Jim to contend with.​Judge Barbara Lynn, Ms. Punctuality, is 15 minutes late getting the Dallas City Hall federal corruption trial started at the Earle Cabell this morning. Usually she keeps the jury informed about every ... More >>

Prosecution "Salivating Like a Junkyard Dog Staring at a T-Bone Steak" As Defense Continues Questioning Don Hill (A Live Blog)

Sam MertenD'Angelo Lee and Don HillAs testimony concluded yesterday in the City Hall corruption trial, it appeared as though the prosecution would begin its cross-examination of Don Hill after Doug Greene, D'Angelo Lee's attorney, finished what is expected to be his relatively short questioning of H ... More >>

Best Defense is a Good Offense: Former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill Takes the Stand in City Hall Corruption Trial. And We're Live Blogging It!

How many witnesses until you take the stand, Don? Wrong. You're up!As expected, former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill has taken the stand to defend himself against charges of corruption and extortion, as U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn reminded him that he has a constitutional right not to testify, which h ... More >>

A New Defense Emerges in the Dallas City Hall Federal Corruption Trial: Entrapment!

Sam MertenD'Angelo Lee, who's apparently going to claim he was entraped by the feds​Big news. Doug Greene has just revealed the core strategy of the defense in the federal Dallas City Hall corruption trial.Entrapment.He has also just been administered a smart spanking from the judge for wasting h ... More >>

Hey, Jim, Only 50 More Witnesses to Go

​Just got back to the computer to find a note from U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn's courtroom deputy, who says that since last we were in the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse, the judge met with prosecutors and defense attorneys -- separately -- to see about picking up the pace of th ... More >>

Ah, See, This is the Laura Miller Schutze Remembers. And Misses, Just a Little.

This is most decidedly not the Laura Miller who showed up to Dallas federal court this morning.​Today's proceedings at the City Hall federal corruption trial opened with a determined attempt by the Dallas city attorney, once again, to bar witnesses from talking about anything that may have happene ... More >>

Defense Uses Factual Résumé, Church Donation and Ties With Leo Chaney to Fluster Key Witness In City Hall Corruption Case

Sam MertenVictor VitalLow-income housing developer Brian Potashnik appeared frustrated and confused Monday in the federal City Hall corruption trial as a trio of defense lawyers rattled the prosecution's star witness while attacking his previous testimony. Near the end of a long day on the stand, he ... More >>

Don Hill’s Legal Defense May Be Less About the Facts and More About Martyrdom

Don Hill Files Motion to Dismiss, Claiming Government Withheld Exculpatory Evidence

Kimberly ThorpeDon Hill and Sheila Farrington filed a prayer of their own in federal court yesterday.Late yesterday, Don Hill's PR man, Ken Carter, sent to media an objection filed in federal court in which the former Dallas mayor pro tem and his wife, Sheila Farrington, want U.S. District Judge Bar ... More >>

Hill Gets a Second Court Date to Follow the Long, Hot Summer of a Public Corruption Trial

Kimberly ThorpeSeriously, we have dozens of pictures like this one from last night's prayer vigil. And by the end of the summer, we'll have run every one.This morning, a Very Special Unfair Park Correspondent -- which is to say, Herschel Wilonsky, my dad -- found himself in U.S. District Judge Barba ... More >>

Before the Prayer Vigil, South Dallas Ministers Ask Eric Holder to Review Don Hill's Case

Hey, Don Hill, how many weekdays left till your trial starts, anyway?And the press releases keep coming from the Don Hill camp: Only a few days after inviting us to a Sunday-eve prayer vigil for Don Hill and Sheila Farrington in advance of Monday's start date in the City Hall corruption case, Ken Ca ... More >>

Sha-Bop Sha-Bop

Serving the "Ends of Justice," Judge Delays City Hall Trial Till June

How many shopping days left till Christmas, Don Hill? Dang, then we'd best hurry! A couple of housekeeping items this morning, including the disappointing news of a scheduling change. You can cross January 20 off your calendar if you were planning on attending the trial of former Dallas Mayor Pr ... More >>

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders

Judge Provides a Generous Sneak Peek at Feds' Case Against Don Hill, Others

Richard Roper: U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. And Very, Very Busy Debt Collector.

Leon Batie Went to War. It Wasn't Till He Returned to Dallas That His Dreams Were "Destroyed."

The ABCs of ACS Lawsuits

Whistleblower: For Love or Money?

D/FW Whistleblower to (Finally) Get Day in Court

The man who would be judge

U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins is no longer seeking a federal bench, but his days of public service are far from over